hips might not as well have fallen down lower in the river as these;
about which he consulted with the officers and pilot of his ship, who
agreed that this morning, the wind being come a little more moderate, the
ships might have fallen down with the tide, but that the time was now
neglected; which the officers excused because of the fog, which was so
thick that they durst not adventure to go down the river. He resolved,
upon this, to take the next opportunity, and went aboard the 'Elizabeth'
to see his company there, who were well accommodated.

Here a petition was presented to Whitelocke from two mariners in hold for
speaking desperate words,--that they would blow up the ship and all her
company, and would cut the throat of the Protector, and of ten thousand
of his party. One of them confessed, in his petition, that he was drunk
when he spake these words, and had no intention of the least harm to the
ship, or to the Protector, or any of the State; both of them acknowledged
their fault, and humbly asked pardon. After Whitelocke had examined them
severally, and could get from them no confession of any plot against the
Protector or State, but earnest asseverations of their innocences; yet
having news of a plot in England against the Protector and Government, he
held it not fit for him absolutely to release them; but, because he
thought it only a business and words of drunkenness, he ordered them to
be had out of the hold, but their Captain to see that they should be
forthcoming at their arrival in England, that the Council, being
acquainted herewith, might direct their pleasure concerning them.

About noon the wind began again to blow with great tempestuousness, and
flat contrary to Whitelocke's course. In the evening a gentleman came
aboard Whitelocke's ship, with letters from Monsieur Schestedt from
Glueckstadt to the same effect, and with compliments as formerly, to which
Whitelocke returned a civil answer by the same messenger; and by him he
also sent letters of compliment and thanks to the Resident Bradshaw,
which likewise he prayed the Resident, in his name, to present to the
English Company of Merchants at Hamburg, for their very great civilities
and noble respects to Whitelocke while he was with them.

_June 22, 1654._

[SN: A visit from Count Ranzau.]

The wind continued contrary and extraordinary violent all the last night
and this morning; and Whitelocke had cause to acknowledge the favour of
God to him,